Ruth Scammell

THEY kept going and danced for six hours, helping to raise thousands of pounds for one of the area’s most popular charities.

The Rowans Hospice dance-a-thon is in its third year now. It sees a group of fundraisers dancing six different dances for six hours.

ROWANS DANCE (RS) MRW 21/2/2015 ''The third Rowans Dance-a-Thon held on Saturday evening, this time returning to The Guildhall in Portsmouth, saw over 150 people seeing if they could last a staggering six hours strutting their stuff ! 'An equally staggering sum of money was raised''Picture by: Malcolm Wells (150322-'Professional Photographer 'Mobile: 07802 217 569'E: malcolmrichardwells@gmail.com PPP-150222-003415006

This year, the Guildhall in Portsmouth was the venue and around 150 people turned up, raising almost £18,000 for the charity.

Ruth White is the chief executive of The Rowans Hospice. She said: ‘It’s six hours of pretty much non-stop dancing.

‘It’s really popular for many reasons. There’s the core group of supporters who want to do something for The Rowans Hospice.

‘Many of those are giving something back having been recipients of the service because one of their family members or friends may have been a patient with us. But there are others who want to come because it purely is a fantastic night of dancing and just brilliant fun.

ROWANS DANCE (RS) MRW 21/2/2015 ''The third Rowans Dance-a-Thon held on Saturday evening, this time returning to The Guildhall in Portsmouth, saw over 150 people seeing if they could last a staggering six hours strutting their stuff ! 'An equally staggering sum of money was raised''Picture by: Malcolm Wells (150322-0696)'Professional Photographer 'Mobile: 07802 217 569'E: malcolmrichardwells@gmail.com PPP-150222-003429006

‘It’s wonderful if they want to support the hospice but if they just want to get fit and dance, it’s a fantastic excuse.’

Dances included disco dancing, line dancing, belly dancing and zumba.

Everyone was asked to wear pink and purple clothes.

Stella Ricci, 28, from Milton, said: ‘We are doing it as a group with family and friends.

ROWANS DANCE (RS) MRW 21/2/2015 ''The third Rowans Dance-a-Thon held on Saturday evening, this time returning to The Guildhall in Portsmouth, saw over 150 people seeing if they could last a staggering six hours strutting their stuff ! 'An equally staggering sum of money was raised''Even the Chief Executive was setting the pace on the dance floor at Portsmouth's Guildhall ! - Ruth White in good form ''Picture by: Malcolm Wells (150322-0753)'Professional Photographer 'Mobile: 07802 217 569'E: malcolmrichardwells@gmail.com PPP-150222-003444006

‘It’s a good cause and it’s fun. It’s good exercise. We know people that have been helped by the Rowans.

‘It’s amazing. I love it. I had so much fun.’

Julie Knight, 46, from North End, said: ‘A couple of the girls have had family members at the Rowans. We have all lost loved ones so we just wanted to help out.

ROWANS DANCE (RS) MRW 21/2/2015 ''The third Rowans Dance-a-Thon held on Saturday evening, this time returning to The Guildhall in Portsmouth, saw over 150 people seeing if they could last a staggering six hours strutting their stuff ! 'An equally staggering sum of money was raised'It's a family affair ! (left to right) Stella Ricci (28) her mum Krysia Cwikla (66) and sister Luisa Ricci (26) get ready for just 5 more hours ! '''Picture by: Malcolm Wells (150322-'Professional Photographer 'Mobile: 07802 217 569'E: malcolmrichardwells@gmail.com PPP-150222-003456006

Tanya Chinnery, 48, from Fareham, added: ‘We want to raise as much money as we can for the charity. I was knackered after the first hour. I’m not very fit. But it’s good fun.’

Alison Henty, 34, from Southsea, said: ‘The Rowans Hospice is an amazing local charity. It has done so much for so many people that I know.

‘We’ve not done this before. It’s really amazing. It’s good that everyone can come and have a laugh.

‘It’s a really positive way to raise money.’

Trending

These are the best and worst-performing schools in Havant and Waterlooville